EAGLES: DeSean Jackson embracing new possibilities in Kelly's offense

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) can't make a catch as he is defended by Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, in Philadelphia. The Bears won 30-24. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

PHILADELPHIA – Eagles veterans like to say you never know what to expect in the Chip Kelly offense.

Actually, you do.

Unless Kelly reinvents his system, one of the new wrinkles will be wide receiver DeSean Jackson, the king of the go route, getting some looks in the read option at running back.

“There might be plays where DeSean is in the backfield, you never know,” running back LeSean McCoy said. “I mean every time we come out here it’s always something different. It’s always a surprise. So you don’t know what to look forward to.”

It’s almost guaranteed DJax will spend time in the backfield just as explosive hybrid receiver De’Anthony Thomas did for Kelly at Oregon.

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Putting the ball in Jackson’s hands is conceptually brilliant providing he’s in space. You don’t want the 175-pounder running between the tackles.

Jackson busted a 67-yard scoring run for Andy Reid. In his Eagles career Jackson has 54 rushes for 371 yards (6.9 average) and three touchdowns.

Jackson is all for the extra touches.

“Right now that’s the big thing because we’re able to motion from both sides, motion from side to side,” Jackson said. “Go behind the quarterback. Go in front of the quarterback. Things like that.

“There’s just so many different options. That’s the biggest thing I can say is this offense really doesn’t have any limits. There’s plenty of options regardless of how the defense is playing.”

It doesn’t take an Xs and Os guru to recognize Jackson would be a back coming across the field in the read option.

The read option is the epitome of misdirection. Kelly’s offense is so full of misdirection defenders were bumping into each other at the first open practice earlier in the week. (Well, at least it seemed to be caused by misdirection).

How much the Eagles would benefit with Jackson (5-10, 175) in such a role is debatable largely due to the injury factor.

Jackson has started 70 of 71 games for the Eagles, catching 274 passes for 4,785 yards (17.5 average) and 23 TDs. His longest grab was 91 yards.

Defenses roll a safety to the side of the field where he lines up, leaving them short a defender against the run. The opposition would rather keep DJax in front of them and give up a run than vice versa.

Jackson has averaged four catches per game in his five-year career. If he take hits in traffic, you have to wonder about durability. Jackson certainly doesn’t seek out contact, or enjoy going over the middle.

While Jackson is unlikely to rack up 700 rushing yards, you have to wonder how much De’Anthony Thomas versatility he has. There are veteran Eagles who, before Kelly was hired, doubted DJax or other NFL wide receivers would be viable components in the Oregon offense because of the threat of injuries.

Make no mistake, Kelly needs to know how many snaps he can get out of Jackson and his teammates.

Rewind to the recent NFL draft and you should recall the rumors the Eagles would select Tavon Austin if they traded around in the first round. Austin (5-9, 174) is about the same size as Jackson only faster having clocked a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. The St. Louis Rams took the West Virginia product off the board with the eighth overall pick.

While no Eagle is faster than Jackson, who has run sub-4.35 in the 40, his suitability to the Kelly offense is at least a bit of a mystery. On paper, Thomas would be a perfect fit for the Eagles.

While Jackson may be the best pure football player on the Eagles, he seems better suited to wide receiver. Jackson is excited about having the ability to break off routes in Kelly’s system.

“I think that’s the freedom we’re capable of having out there depending on the defender and the defense,” Jackson said. “If the defender is way back and you can beat him on the go, then that’s the point. But if not we’re able to still within the route, have an option to stop, if the cornerback is bailing for his life, not to get beat deep. Really it’s a win for the receiver. Because going out there it’s like you have a double route. If he’s planning on this route than I can go to something else.

I never really had the flexibility of stopping routes or have an option on routes. It’s always been one route and that one route is what the route is.”

NOTES

Tight end Clay Harbor, safety Kurt Coleman, cornerback Brandon Hughes and linebacker Emmanuel Acho are scheduled to appear at the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s Third Annual Camp-in for Kids’ Cancer event presented by the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field Saturday and Sunday. The sleep-over style event features a cookout-style dinner, locker room tours, movies and ghost stories. Tents for guests who wish to stay overnight, or tickets for those just attending the dinner are available at www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/camp-kids-cancer ... Jackson is slated to join Torrey Smith (Ravens) and Josh Morgan, Fred Davis and Darrell Young of the Redskins for the NFL Softball Players game at 6 p.m. June 1st at Bowie Baysox Stadium, Bowie, Md. General admission tickets are $20 and benefit the Wounded Warriors Project.